Implementing the ideology of Cittaslow in shools Erasmus Project

Project Title

Implementing the ideology of Cittaslow in shools

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Environment and climate change; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

The background: All the participating places are Cittaslow villages and towns. Cittaslow is an international network of small towns and municipalities, whose focus on promoting humanity, respect and hospitality. Offering a clean, safe and eco-friendly environment. Enhancing the local identity, characteristics, professions and culture. In Italy there are over 80 munipalicities but in Iceland there is only one. The hope is to increase the number in both countries.
The objectives: Implementing the ideology of Cittaslow based on 7 steps including 72 criterias. To raise more happy and responsible individuals who take care of the earth and work with the local community to build a more sustainable environment. The partnerschools (teachers and pupils) are promoting the knowledge of diversity of life by visiting each other and by internet communication, they learn about their culture and specialties.
Number and profile of participants: 2 schools in Djúpivogur Iceland, and 3 schools in Italy Orvieto. With pupils ranging from 1 – 16 years old. We managed to make good contact between pupils from 10 – 15 years old. It was more difficult with the younger ones, but the teachers, teaching pupils from 6 – 10 years old made the best contact.
Description of activities: Implementing the ideology of Cittaslow based on 7 steps including 72 criterias. Because the criterias are more made for adults community we will adapt the criterias to the young pupils in each school. Each school find their own way to do and their local focus areas. In the end of the project every school will be especially marked as Cittaslow school. As I will explain later it was not the best way to approach the best result. On the way we found out it was better to decide and work on a projects that toned with the ideology of Cittaslow, not the other way round. And being guided by the foreman of the Cittaslow Headquarters he told us that we already had reached the Cittaslow “school” stamp, when our munipalicity became a Cittaslow village.
The methodology: We believe that successful method to avoid dropout is supporting individual to become the best versions of them self’s by let creative action follow from creative thinking. The world needs creative solutions and we believe that creative individual are more likely to be an active resident and can better deal with the issues that preceding generations left us and make sure that we leave earth in an improved state for coming generations. Environmental education and sustainable knowledge are important method through the project. This was carried out in all schools with good result.
Short description of the results: More responsible, active and creative individuals who work for a more sustainable environment. Individuals who choose diversity, support local culture and traditions, encourage healthy living and work with the local community to build these values. he partnership make more broad perspective and tolerance individuals and leads potential to more respect to different culture.
The long term benefits are hopefully more creative and responsible individuals who make positive mark on their community. We mark a big difference in our pupils and staff. As described later this is a marathon not a sprint so it will take a longer time.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 58235 Eur

Project Coordinator

Djúpavogsskóli & Country: IS

Project Partners

• Istituto Comprensivo Orvieto-Baschi